Ten years after 'hug a husky', what is David Cameron's green legacy?

A decade ago today, the Conservative leader visited the Arctic to witness the effects of climate change. But since coming to power, his government has dropped or watered down a succession of green policies

David Cameron visited the Norwegian Scott-Turner glacier to see the effects of climate change on 20 April, 2006.
Photograph: Andrew Parsons/PA/Pool/Reuters

It is one of the most successful political reinventions ever. In just a few years as its new leader, David Cameron turned around the Tories’ toxic “nasty party” image - at least with enough voters to form a coalition government.

One of the most eye-catching moments came 10 years ago today with his “hug a husky” trip to the Arctic to highlight the impact of climate change. It was followed by Cameron’s commitment to lead the “greenest government ever”.

Yet with a succession of green policies now dropped or watered down, those environmental promises are now ringing hollow with many voters.

Eclipsing solar

Cameron wasn’t exaggerating during PMQs recently when he said that 99% of the UK’s solar had been installed while he’s been prime minister, though he failed to mention the scheme that drove that boom was set up under Labour. In opposition, he was an enthusiastic backer of solar incentives, saying: “Imagine a Britain where each community is able to meet its own energy requirements instead of relying on a few huge power stations.” But his ministers recently cut solar incentives by 65%, with a corresponding crash in installations.

Retreat from wind while embracing fracking

Building new onshore windfarms is now pretty much uneconomical in the UK because of changes since the election last year. While subsidies were removed and planning made harder for turbines on land, tax breaks have been given to the shale gas industry and ministers’ letters revealed they are considering taking fracking planning decisions out of the hands of local authorities.

Change of rhetoric

On his Arctic trip a decade ago, the then leader of the opposition argued: “Climate change is one of the biggest threats facing the world and we must have a much greater sense of urgency about tackling it.” But halfway through his leadership of the coalition, the rhetoric had change markedly. The prime minister reportedly told aides to “get rid of all the green crap” on energy bills.